Method for converting hydrocarbons



June 19, 1934.

R. E. BURK 1,963,647

METHOD FOR CONVERTING HYDROCARBONS Filed July 23. 1931 TEHPEEA Tut: (0M 1; raw 5 L INVENTOR.

Zober-Z'CfBuri:

A TTORNEYS Patented June 19, 1934 v METHoD Fon oonvan'rmdnvnnm IFCARBONS I Robert E. Biirk,.Cleveland, hi0, assignorto The I Standard 1 cqmpa'n p tion y, Cleveland, Ohio, a cor-' Application July 2-3, 1931, seria1ii-io. 552,566

2 Claims.

This invention relates to the conversion of hydrocarbons, and more particularly the obtaining of lower boiling products suitable for motor fuels, etc. It is among the objects of the invention to provide a process of conversion capable of operating upon various stocks, and with advantages in application and control of heat. Another object is the provision of a method for attaining desired temperatures without undue coking of heating coils or narrow passage-ways. Another object is the provision of procedure making possible products with satisfactory knock-rating for motor fuel usage. Other objects and advantages will appear as the description proceeds.

To the accomplishment of the foregoing and related ends, the invention, then, comprises the features hereinafter fully described, and particularly pointed out in the claims, the following description and the annexed drawing setting forth in detail certain illustrative embodiments of the invention, these being indicative, however, of but a few of the various ways in which the principle of the invention may be applied.

In said annexed drawing:-

The sole figure is a diagrammatic sectional elevation showing apparatus contemplated in the invention.

Referring more particularly to the drawing, there is shown a heating device, for instance in v the form of a coil or bank of tubes 3 in a furnace chamber 4, fired by any suitable means, as oil, coal, etc. Connecting with the outlet pipe 4 from the heater is a converting chamber 5. This may vary as to detail form. Preferably, it may be heat-insulated, or at least guarded against material heat loss, and for this it may be mounted so as to be surrounded by waste flue gases, or more desirably, may be lagged or covered with heat-insulating material A draw-off line 6 from the bottom leads to a tank or other desired point of disposal, and an off-take 7 at the top leads to a condensing system, which may include fractionating apparatus in detail as may be desired. Connecting also into the converting E chamber is a line or pipe 8 for the supply of oxygen. Compressed pure oxygen may be provided from a suitable source 9, or more conveniently ordinarily, air may be employed, furnished by a suitable compressor 10.

The oxygen or air inlet into the converting chamber is desirably adjacent the inlet of the heated oil as coming from the heater 3. Preferably, the air or oxygen pipe is connected with the oil inlet in the form of a spray-feed nozzle or jet 11, whereby the heated oil is finely divided or vaporized and exposed to the oxygen or air in a thorough contact.

In operating for the production of motor fuel for example, a suitable stock, as gas oil, heavy naphtha, or other crackable hydrocarbon ma- 9 terial, is forwarded from a source of supply by pipe 12 to the heating coil 3. The temperature here applied is desirably suflicient to bring the oil up to cracking point, without however, allowing cracking to occur in the coil. By operating the furnace and through-put so that, for instance, not to exceed a trace or up to one per cent of cracking in the coil, it is possible to operate the latter under practically continuous through-put without coking trouble. The pressure in the coil need not be high, consistent with adequate through-put, for instance, a pressure of 150 pounds or more. If desired, the pressure may be carried to high ranges, as 1000-1200 pounds per square inch. The heated hydrocarbon stock, still chiefly in liquid state, is then discharged into the converting chamber 5 and exposed intimately to the action of oxygen or air. The pressure in the converting chamber may range substantially with that in the coil, or preferably will be reduced, being released by suitable valve means 13 to a range for example, of 12-125 pounds, desirably about pounds. With the oil thus already heated up to its cracking point, and then discharged into the presence of oxygen, a rapid breaking-down proceeds, and the extent of action can be controlled as desired, by regulation of the oxygen or air fed through valves 14 or 15. The temperature may be brought at least to 800 F. desirably, and on up to 1125 F. or higher. The converted products are both of lower molecular weight and of lesser hydrogen content. The products drawn off by off-take 7 may be condensed and separated or fractionated with the recovery of the motor fuel and heavier fractions.

, Some variations as to temperatures and pressures may be had, as indicated, depending upon the contact time available in the converting chamber, its size, the pressure, volume of through-put, and nature of the stock. For example, with a gas-oil heated and then subjected to a temperature of 1125 F. in a converting chamber in the presence of air, and at a pressure of 10 pounds, a contact time of 1.5 seconds is adequate. Again, as another example, gas-oil is heated and discharged into the converting chamber, where it is treated in the presence of air, and at a temperature of about 950 F. and pressure of about 100 pounds per square inch, with a contact time of about 25 seconds.

If desired, the oxygen or air supply may be conditioned as to its temperature, by passing through a conditioner 16 on the way to the converting chamber. In the conditioner, the temperature is either raised by application of heat, or is lowered by cooling, as may be desired in any given case.

Other modes of applying the principle of the invention may be employed, change being made as regards the details described, provided the features stated in any of the following claims or the equivalent of such, be employed.

I therefore particularly point out and distinct- 1y claim as my invention:-

1. A method of cracking high boiling point bydrocarbons into hydrocarbons suitable for motor fuel, which comprises heating a flowing stream of hydrocarbons under a high pressure to a cracking temperature, releasing the pressure and atomizing the hydrocarbons at a temperature of about 1125 F. in contact with a sufficient amount of undiluted air for about 1.5 to 25 seconds, under a pressure of 10 lbs. per square inch to convert said hydrocarbons into motor fuel.

2. A method of cracking high boiling point hydrocarbons into hydrocarbons suitable for motor fuel, which comprises heating a flowing stream of hydrocarbons under pressure of about 150 lbs. per square inch to about 1200 lbs. per square inch to a cracking temperature, releasing the pressure and atomizing the hydrocarbons at a temperature from about 800 F. to about 1125 F. in contact with a sufiicient amount of undiluted air for about 1.5 seconds under a pressure from about 10 lbs. per square inch to 100 lbs. per square inch to convert said hydrocarbons into motor fuel.

ROBERT E. BURK. 

